How you structure your assignment will depend on what your purpose is. On this page, we'll explore some of the reasons people give presentations and how this affects the structure of your work, and we'll finish with some useful linking phrases.
What's your purpose?
People give presentations for a range of reasons. Here's a list of just a few of them:
To inform: Presentations are often used to convey information, such as sharing research findings or providing updates on a project's progress, ensuring the audience gains a clear understanding of the topic.
To persuade: Presenters may aim to influence the audience's beliefs or actions, such as convincing stakeholders to support a proposal or encouraging individuals to adopt a new behaviour or mindset.
To demonstrate: Presentations can be used to show how something works or how to perform a task, often involving step-by-step instructions or live demonstrations to enhance understanding.
To entertain: Engaging presentations can captivate an audience with storytelling, humour, or compelling visuals, making the experience enjoyable while still conveying an underlying message or theme.
Possible structures
The three-part structure
The three-part structure, consisting of an introduction, body, and conclusion, is a classic format used to organise presentations by introducing the topic, presenting the main content, and summarising the key points.
Introduction
Grab the audience's attention: Start with an engaging opening, such as an interesting fact, a question, a quote, or a brief story, to capture the audience's interest.
Introduce the topic: Clearly state the subject of your presentation so the audience knows what to expect.
Outline the main topics: Provide a brief overview of the main points you will discuss. Use a visual aid, like a slide or a diagram, to help the audience follow along.
Body
Main point 1:
Clearly state the main point: Begin with a clear and concise statement of your first main point.
Supporting points: Provide details, examples, or evidence to back up your main point. Use visuals or anecdotes to enhance understanding.
Transition: Use a phrase like "Secondly..." to smoothly move to the next main point.
Main point 2:
Clearly state the main point: Introduce your second main point clearly.
Supporting points: Offer supporting information, examples, or data.
Transition: Use a phrase like "In addition..." to transition to the next point.
Main point 3:
Clearly state the main point: Present your third main point.
Supporting points: Provide relevant details and examples.
Conclusion
To conclude:
Signal to the audience that you are wrapping up your presentation.
Sum up the main points: Briefly recap the key points you have discussed to reinforce them in the audience's mind.
Add a big picture statement: End with a statement that connects your presentation to a larger context or future implications, leaving the audience with something to think about.
Chronological order
The chronological structure is ideal for presentations that describe a process or a sequence of events, as it organises information in the order it occurred or should occur.
Introduction
Capture interest: Begin with an engaging hook, such as a fascinating fact or anecdote related to the timeline you'll cover.
Introduce the timeline: Clearly state the period or sequence of events you will discuss, giving the audience a sense of scope.
Overview of key events: Provide a brief preview of the main events or milestones you will cover in chronological order.
Body
Event 1:
Describe the event: Provide details about the first event, including its date, context, and significance.
Visual aids: Use timelines, images, or charts to help illustrate the event and its impact.
Transition: Use a phrase like "Following this..." to smoothly move to the next event.
Event 2:
Describe the event: Explain the next event in the sequence, providing relevant details and context.
Connections: Highlight how this event relates to the previous one and its role in the overall timeline.
Continue with subsequent events: Repeat the process for each event, maintaining chronological order and clarity.
Conclusion
Summarise the timeline: Briefly recap the key events and their significance in the chronological sequence.
Reflect on outcomes: Discuss the overall impact or outcomes of the events covered, tying them together.
Concluding thought: End with a statement or question that encourages the audience to consider the future implications or lessons learned from the timeline.
Problem and solution
The problem-solution structure is useful for persuasive presentations, as it starts by outlining a problem and then proposes solutions.
Introduction
Engage the audience: Begin with a compelling story, statistic, or question that highlights the problem and captures the audience's attention.
Define the problem: Clearly describe the issue you will address, ensuring the audience understands its significance and relevance.
Preview the solution: Briefly introduce the solution you will propose, creating anticipation for how it will address the problem.
Body
Problem exploration:
Detail the problem: Provide a thorough explanation of the problem, including its causes and impacts. Use facts, data, or anecdotes to illustrate its seriousness.
Highlight urgency: Explain why the problem needs immediate attention, emphasising any potential consequences of inaction.
Transition: Use a phrase like "To address this issue..." to smoothly introduce the solution.
Solution proposal:
Present the solution: Clearly outline your proposed solution, explaining how it effectively addresses the problem.
Supporting evidence: Offer evidence, examples, or case studies that demonstrate the solution's feasibility and effectiveness.
Address potential objections: Anticipate and counter any possible objections or concerns about the solution.
Conclusion
Signal the conclusion: Indicate that you are concluding the presentation.
Reinforce the solution: Summarise the key benefits of the proposed solution, reinforcing its importance and potential impact.
Call to action: End with a strong call to action, encouraging the audience to support or implement the solution, and leave them with a thought-provoking statement or question to ponder.
Demonstration
The demonstrative structure is designed to show how something works or how to use a product, often involving a step-by-step live demonstration to effectively engage the audience.
Introduction
Engage the audience: Start with an intriguing fact, question, or scenario related to the demonstration to capture interest.
Introduce the demonstration: Clearly explain what you will demonstrate and its relevance or benefits to the audience.
Set expectations: Briefly outline what the audience will learn or gain from the demonstration.
Body
Step-by-step demonstration:
Step 1: Clearly explain and perform the first step of the demonstration, ensuring the audience understands what is happening.
Visual aids: Use visuals, props, or tools to enhance understanding and engagement (e.g. a live demonstration of a website).
Step 2: Proceed to the next step, providing clear instructions and explanations.
Engage the audience: Encourage questions or interaction to keep the audience engaged and clarify any doubts.
Continue with remaining steps: Repeat the process for each subsequent step, maintaining clarity and engagement.
Conclusion
Summarise the demonstration: Recap the key steps and outcomes of the demonstration to reinforce learning.
Highlight key benefits: Emphasise the advantages or applications of what was demonstrated.
Encourage practice: Motivate the audience to try the demonstration themselves or apply the knowledge gained.
Invite questions: Offer to answer any remaining questions and provide additional resources if necessary.
